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One Pot Spanish Rice and Beans

Sometimes for dinner - I just want to grab one pot and have it do the whole job - this Spanish Rice and Beans recipe is just that! One meal - one pot and you're going to love it!

This Spanish Rice & Beans recipe has everything - rice, chorizo, beans, peppers, onions, tomatoes and lots of FLAVOR!! I even sprinkled sliced Spanish olives on top - this adds a cool zing to the dish - I loved it!

How do you make Spanish Rice?

I looked up a lot of different recipes and found some essential elements - rice obviously - but you can really use the kind of rice you like - I went with a saffron rice - it gives the rice a beautiful color. But first - you saute your chorizo, garlic, pepper and onions - I added half pound of chorizo so it didn't add a lot of meat - but it added SO MUCH FLAVOR and that beautiful color! Once you saute that together - you add everything else! That last step is adding rice, tomatoes, red beans, corn, chicken broth, water, paprika and cumin and then letting the goodness simmer together! Yum!

What spices go in Spanish Rice? What makes Spanish Rice orange or yellow?

Lots of questions on the interwebs about this - when I was doing research saffron, cumin and paprika kept showing up - so I went that route. And, as you can see, the colors are beautiful. I found the saffron rice at my grocery store - so that already had the seasoning - then added the smoked paprika which just spills color out everywhere! That combination definitely brings the color and so much flavor - with the chorizo - you don't need anything else!

This is a hearty dish - and again - you've only got a little meat with the chorizo. If you're not a fan - you can either swap and use bacon when you're sauteeing the vegetables - or just leave it out alltogether - it will definitely still be delicious. I always like to mention that you should always make this YOUR WAY. I love orange pepper - so I used those - but if you prefer green - go for it! I used fire roasted diced tomatoes - but regular diced will be fine. Don't like red beans - use black beans! Feel free to ask any questions as you're making it!

Stir everything together and simmer on medium for 15 minutes. Stir and check the moisture level and rice doneness. - If rice isn’t done, and there’s still liquid - cook for 5 min more - If rice isn’t done, but pot is dry and starting to stick - lower heat and add 1/2 cup water and cook for five minutes more. - If rice is done - you’re ready to serve!